Two years after assuming office in 2018, the bromance between DCI boss George Kinoti and DPP Noordin Haji is at stake, exposed by the release of KPA boss Daniel Manduku and KRA’s commissioner for customs Kevin Safari in court on Tuesday, March 3.
A report by The Standard, on Wednesday, March 4, stated that Kinoti took over the case himself and bypassed the DPP’s office.
Haji only learnt of the arrest of the duo through the media, as DCI officers claimed that they were frustrated by efforts by DPP Haji to handle cases as files dated back to April 2019 still lay at Haji’s office.
In the court, after DCI had prepared a charge sheet, DPP’s officers refused to register the sheet arguing that the DCI had defied their directive to review Manduku’s case independently, as officials from the two agencies lost their cool in court.
“It is very unfortunate the DCI decided to drag the persons to court in total disregard of the DPP’s directive that he needs to do an independent review of the file. The DPP is very disappointed about the way the case is being conducted,” Joseph Riungu, Haji’s assistant stated.
“It is a difficult matter and situation for the DCI. I don’t understand the differences between us and the prosecution since we followed due diligence, prepared the charge sheet and brought the suspects to court,” Gituathi Njoroge, lead investigator argued for Kinoti’s side.
Daily nation on Wednesday, March 4, reported that DPP Haji recalled the files of the two suspects for review at the last minute.
The magistrate, Kenned Cheruiyot, was forced to free Manduku and Safari after the duo failed to take pleas out of the drama that ensued. Cheruiyot stated that DCI officials had to seek court audience through the DPP’s office.
“We cannot continue like this when we have no file approved by the DPP. We cannot hold a person who has not been charged and until such a time when the DPP and the DCI will put their house in order, I will direct the two to walk out and no one should arrest them,” Cheruiyot ruled.
With bravado and zeal, Fridays became a dreaded day of the week in many public offices with the danger of arrests almost always lurking. But the public displays between the DCI and the DPP have been fading steadily.